Trees

---

Emergency storm damage

The extreme weather in the UK has been on the rise in recent years, this has meant the team have been on call during freak weather events.

Trees roadside

If you have a tree on your property which borders a road get in touch regarding advice on the best course of action. All work roadside requires council permits, and specific machinery permits (MEWP’s etc)- if you are to use a contractor they should acquire this for you when providing traffic management, always check.

Felling

The complete removal of a tree, depending on the state of the tree in question and other extraneous factors this can be done in a few ways. Often it is either from the ground, or aerially (by a climber) sectionally. If it is too dangerous the use of bigger machinery is required for maximum safety.

Monolithing

The practice of this includes reducing a dead or dying tree back to its main stem. This retention is preferred over felling where appropriate due to the environmental benefits it presents.

Veteranising

This is the process of intentionally causing damage to a tree which would naturally take years; this includes broken/torn branches, woodpecker holes, fungi plugs/indoctrination and internal hollowing. This is an approach increasingly used to bridge the current (problematic) gap between the UK’s middle aged and veteran trees.

Veteran management and bracing

current bracing systems have come a long way from their older counterparts, and there are now lots of options and different systems of bracing to best suit the tree's needs.

Bat/owl/bird box installation.

Aerial tree inspection.

Formative pruning

This is carried out on young specimens and will determine the shape as the tree grows, this is beneficial on fruit trees where the weight of the fruit can be balanced and managed further down the line. It also helps most other species to discourage multi-stemmed canopies which (in urban environments) can produce problems later on.

Pollarding

The practice of ‘heavy’ pruning, only suitable for certain species.

Reductions

This differs for every tree depending on species, age, health etc. The general idea is to lessen the canopy for the benefit of the tree (reduction of wind loading, reduction of over weighted limbs etc).

Thinning

This is the practice of reducing the internal growth to allow more light and airflow into and through the canopy, this allows more light to pass through the tree benefitting the lower level plants.

Crown lift

The process of ‘lifting’ (removing) selective lower limbs so the canopy of the tree appears to start higher.

Deadwooding.

Clearance

Planting

We can source a wide range of young to mature trees depending on what you’re after, we will talk through the suitability of a site for certain species and aftercare of your new tree. Depending on what you’re after we may even be able to donate a tree to you or your site to keep on top of our arb neutral tally (see ‘the green revolution’ for examples of this).

Stump grinding

The complete removal of a stump.

Eco plugs

An alternative to stump grinding, benefits of this include: if you don’t have access for a stump grinder but definitely want the stump gone this is a good way to ensure no new growth would occur and eventually the stump will rot away. It also completely restricts growth with correct installation, the tree draws the substance into its root system so no re-sprouting should occur- particularly helpful with species such as rhododendron for ‘weed’ control.

Mobile milling

The process of turning green, felled timber into planks. We use our trusty Alaskan mill with a very big saw attached to it. This is a great way of utilising timber you’ve had a part in growing!

Hedge & Gargen

• Removal/grinding of hedges
  
  
• Planting
  
  
• Trimming
  
  
• Laying Pests and disease management
  
  
• Turfing - This includes removal of current turf, levelling (adding topsoil if necessary) and re-laying.

Fungi

- (Birch polypore, Fomitopsis betulina)

Not strictly a service but as trees produce mycorrhizae (which literally means ‘fungus-root’), as part of their root system it would be crazy to look at trees without looking at fungi. The symbiotic relationship between trees and fungi is amazing, the mycorrhizal fungi make up the threads in root systems called mycelium- these grow from the tips of the tree roots to connect with other trees and plants to create a huge underground network.

Given how important this is to a tree, it is crucial that to understand them you must also understand its largest counterpart- fungi.

Luckily here at GMTC we’re fungi fanatics, as keen foragers our mushroom identification obsession started a number of years ago and is very much ongoing due to the sheer volume there is to learn! If you’d like to see more of this check out our socials for fungi Friday’s, every week we post a new mushroom we have found (or been sent) with its name, identification tips and some facts about it. We will never confirm edibility as you should always consult an expert before consuming what you’ve found.  

There is so much fungi it even has its own kingdom, and amazingly 90% of fungi is yet to be discovered or identified!. 



-(Field mushrooms, Agaricus campestris)


- (Artists bracket, Ganoderma applanatum)

Woodland

Woodland management plans, depending on desired outcome of the woodland. A range of options can be discussed during the initial site visit, whether it be for conservation and preservation purposes, small scale timber harvesting, or production of Non timber forest products (NTFP’s). Bespoke plans can be drawn with a range of benefits to both the land owner and environment. Systems such as continuous cover forestry or coppicing are favoured over clear felling but of course it is entirely dependent on the site. All management is UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant.

Checking eligibility for woodland grants/planting etc.

Orchard management- If left unmanaged orchards can become very dense and unproductive. In short they require pruning, occasional replacement of dying trees, soil replenishment and pest and disease management among other things! Again, site visits are required to construct an appropriate management plan depending on desired outcomes from the landowner. Orchards are excellent for biodiversity as they provide trees which veteranise much faster than other broadleaf species, the habitat the hollow and decaying wood provides is perfect for lots of bugs and birds!

Pest and disease management.

Rewilding advice- a newer (and fascinating) approach to ‘land management’ very hands off following initial stages, again, there are few complexities to consider when applying this to a site. For examples of this see: Rewilding on a smaller scale.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) & conservation areas

“an order made by a local planning authority in England to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity.“



Read more about TPOs here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-preservation-orders-and-trees-in-conservation-areas

This restricts any work on the subject by order of the local planning authority (LPA) without specific written consent. This is still the case even if the tree is situated within the boundary of your property, as it is in the interest of public amenity value. If you are wanting any work completed on a tree that falls under a TPO or conservation area you must obtain written consent from the LPA.

This is something we can help with by filling the planning application out for you, we can have a discussion regarding your preferred outcomes for the tree and how this will impact the trees aesthetic and biology.

Based on many previous applications we’ve submitted for various different councils we can give you an indication as to whether or not we think it will pass, if we think there will be no objection we will submit the form. If not we will explain why, based on previous experience we don’t think it will pass, and hopefully find a solution. Failing that we will still apply on your behalf, but it may make the process lengthier as amendments to the proposed work could be required.

Once this is done the councils take around 6-8 weeks to make a decision, some give permission by stating that if you don’t hear any objection within that time you are allowed to proceed with the work but usually it is a written letter with full details of the specification.

If you have any further questions regarding applications, or need a hand with one you are already in the process of submitting don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Pest and Disease Management

Pest and disease management, this covers the initial inspection, identification and management plan for a range of different pests and diseases. In Surrey and its surrounding counties there are a few prevalent pests we encounter regularly.

These include:

Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

A pest prevalent in the south of the UK, mainly Greater London/Surrey. It was accidentally introduced to the UK in 2006 when a development company shipped over trees from the Netherlands for a housing project. This led to the rapid spread of the pest, in the areas mentioned. The moths are a defoliator, meaning they eat the leaves of oaks.

The Team at Green Man are very well practised in the safe removal of OPM, and are more than happy to provide any advice you may need; this includes identification, the repercussions of contact with the famous OPM ‘hairs’ and how to report sightings to the environmental agency. Research so far indicates that adults and children with respiratory issues such as asthma are most at risk. We do offer private removal and wear full PPE at all times.

Luckily for us Holly has done extensive research into the impact OPM is having on the urban environment as part of her PGCert towards her masters. This means you know you are in very safe hands, and we have successful rates of little to no reinfestation of a tree the following seasons!

If you’d like more info regarding OPM and its impacts here are some links: 

• https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/oak-processionary-moth-thaumetopoea-processionea/
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-oak-processionary-moth-in-england

Honey Fungus

One to watch out for, due to it attacking and killing the roots of many woody and perennial plants.

‘How do you know when you have honey fungus?’

There are a few indicators to look out for:

• Honey coloured toadstools (only visible briefly in autumn)
• White fungal growth between the bark and wood (usually ground level).

As the mushrooms are only visible briefly, honey fungus can creep in and be a bit of a silent killer. This can be dangerous when large trees in residential areas are affected, as badly damaged root systems can fail at any time. The photograph below shows how bad this can be! Other signs to look out for include die back, lack or flowers/fruits, paler leaves and cracks and bleeding on bark. If you’d like more info follow the link below or give us a call to discuss management options for your affected trees.

Learn more here: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/garden-health/disease/Honey-fungus


- A mature tree which failed due to honey fungus


- Fruiting bodies of honey fungus that appear in autumn, found on a rotting stump

Pine Weevil

Adult beetles eat the bark of trees and woody plants. They eat mainly young plants, specifically coniferous. They are a great threat to the UK’s softwood timber production but are also worth looking out for if you own coniferous woodland.

Learn more about Pine Weevil